Sports

Virat Kohli’s brilliant century against New Zealand has once again silenced his critics. His elder brother, Vikas Kohli, responded sharply to former cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar’s remarks, saying, “Saying is easy, doing is difficult.” Vikas Kohli Targets CriticsDespite India falling short in the recently concluded ODI series against New Zealand, Virat Kohli’s masterful 124-run innings reaffirmed his stature in world cricket. Vikas Kohli took to social media immediately after Virat’s 54th ODI century to defend him against those questioning his decision to step away from Test cricket and focus solely on limited-overs formats. Reacting indirectly to Manjrekar’s controversial comment that implied Virat was playing “easier” formats, Vikas wrote on Threads: “I wonder if the s...

Bangladesh’s refusal to play its matches in India for the T20 World Cup 2026 could open the door for Scotland to participate, according to reports. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has reiterated its stance of not backing down, but the International Cricket Council (ICC) may exclude Bangladesh from the tournament if it continues to insist on withdrawing. In such a scenario, Scotland, based on current world rankings, could replace Bangladesh. Scotland Awaits Official InvitationFollowing the reports, Scotland Cricket issued a statement saying that it has not yet received any formal invitation from the ICC. However, they indicated that they would be willing to accept the offer if it comes. The Scottish board also confirmed that they will not independently approach the ICC on this matter,...

New Delhi: Following India’s 1-2 defeat to New Zealand in the three-match ODI series, the Indian cricket team is set for major changes in its playing XI. ODI captain Shubman Gill has indicated that several players who featured in the recent Indore match may not be part of the squad for the next series. Series OverviewIndia won the first ODI in Vadodara, but lost the second in Rajkot and the decisive third in Indore. Several Indian stars failed to perform consistently, raising concerns about team composition ahead of the 2027 World Cup. Team to be Shaped for 2027 World CupGill stressed that the team’s focus is on preparing for the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will leave little room for experimentation. India will have only 17 ODIs before the tournament, and the management wants to use up...

Indore: India’s cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir is facing growing criticism after Team India lost the ODI series 2-1 to New Zealand. During the post-match presentation at Holkar Stadium, Indore, spectators raised loud “Gambhir, hai-hai” chants, leaving players and team management visibly stunned. Virat Kohli’s Reaction Captured on VideoA video circulating on social media shows Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Shreyas Iyer standing on the field for formalities when the chants erupted. Kohli’s expressions clearly reflected his surprise at the audience’s protest. While the video has not been officially confirmed, it highlights the growing discontent among fans regarding the team’s recent performances. Gambhir’s Tenure Under ScrutinySince becoming head coach, Gambhir’s ...

New Delhi: Uncertainty looms over the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to play matches in India due to ongoing political tensions. Reports suggest that Scotland is being considered as a potential replacement, although ICC has not yet made any official contact. Bangladesh Refuses to Play in IndiaThe BCB has informed the ICC that, due to security and political concerns, they will not tour India for the World Cup. BCB Director Amjad Hussain stated that during a recent meeting with ICC representatives, the board requested that their matches be relocated to an alternative venue. Bangladesh emphasized that they are not seeking to withdraw from the tournament entirely, but are asking for a venue change. The ICC has said it is considering the request ...

New Delhi: Former world No. 1 and India’s badminton icon Saina Nehwal has officially announced her retirement from professional badminton, citing long-standing knee issues and serious medical concerns. With cartilage damage and arthritis preventing her from enduring intense training, Saina decided to bid farewell to the sport on her own terms, ending a golden chapter in Indian sports. The Reason Behind RetirementSaina revealed that the cartilage in her knees has deteriorated significantly and she has been struggling with arthritis. Maintaining a place among the world’s elite requires 8–9 hours of training daily, but her knees could no longer tolerate more than one to two hours of practice without swelling. She stated, “I told my parents and coach that it’s no longer possible to continue...

New Delhi: A historic day in Indian cricket was written at the Chepauk Stadium, Chennai, when India defeated Pakistan in 1980 to claim a landmark Test series victory after a 27-year wait. The win was anchored by a marathon innings from Sunil Gavaskar and an all-round masterclass by Kapil Dev, leading India to a dominant 10-wicket victory. Gavaskar’s Marathon Innings:The legendary “Little Master” Sunil Gavaskar showcased immense concentration and resilience, occupying the crease for nearly 10 hours and scoring 166 runs. His innings exhausted the Pakistani bowlers and gave India a firm grip on the match, leaving Pakistan with little chance of a comeback. Kapil Dev’s Historic All-Round Performance:Known as the “Haryana Hurricane”, a young Kapil Dev wreaked havoc with both bat and ball. ...

New Delhi: As 2026 gets underway, several Indian cricketers may announce their retirement this year. Some players have been out of the national team for a long time, either due to age or a dip in form, making a return increasingly unlikely. Here’s a look at five Indian players who could bid farewell to international cricket in 2026. 1. Ajinkya RahaneFormer India captain Ajinkya Rahane’s return to the national team now seems nearly impossible. Rahane, who has played 85 Tests, 90 ODIs, and 20 T20Is, currently represents Mumbai in domestic cricket. He will turn 38 in June 2026, and a comeback to international cricket appears highly unlikely. 2. Umesh YadavPace bowler Umesh Yadav is completely out of the selectors’ plans. He plays only sporadically for Vidarbha in domestic cricket. Once ...

New Delhi: The ICC T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7, has been surrounded by controversy regarding the participation of the Bangladesh cricket team. The issue escalated after Mustafizur Rahman was released by Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the IPL due to BCCI directives. Following this, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) reportedly expressed concerns about security and indicated their reluctance to play matches in India. The BCB requested ICC to host Bangladesh’s matches outside India. According to some reports, the ICC had reportedly set a deadline of January 21 for Bangladesh to confirm participation in India. If Bangladesh refused, they could potentially face exclusion from the tournament and replacement by another team. However, the...

Vadodara: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) continued their winning streak in the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) by defeating Gujarat Giants by a commanding 61-run margin, securing their place in the playoffs. Batting first, RCB posted 178/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Openers Grace Harris and Georgia Wareham fell early, leaving the team struggling at just 9 runs. However, Naik steadied the innings with a brilliant knock of 73 runs off 55 balls, including seven boundaries and a six. She shared a crucial 69-run partnership with Richa Ghosh, who scored 27 off 20 balls with three sixes. Captain Smriti Mandhana contributed 26 runs off 23 balls, helping RCB set a competitive total. Chasing 179, Gujarat Giants struggled from the start. By the 7th over, they had lost four wickets for jus...